Weekend in review: Aurora man breaks Guinness record

George Hood, 53, of Aurora, set the new Guinness World record in the plank, at 1 hour, 20 minutes, 5.01 seconds at the Eggsperience restaurant in Naperville on Saturday Dec.3, 2011.Photo by Inside Edge PR

An Aurora man who shattered a Guinness World Record on Saturday in Naperville says his physical feat was one retired man's way of inspiring others in their 40s, 50s and older to get off the couch and change their lives. George Hood, who turns 54 Monday, set the new Guinness World Record for an exercise called the plank, or static abdominal hold, that involves a person supporting his body weight in a straight line from forearms to tiptoes. Full story.

Working to make schools 'the safe place'

Mundelein Police Chief Ray Rose has known for years there was a problem in the way information was shared between the village's schools and its police department. Despite efforts from both sides, communication about teens in trouble sometimes fell through the cracks, potentially putting others at risk. Rose and Mundelein school officials began meeting this fall, then brought state lawmakers into talks seeking stronger rules governing exchange of information about students. Juvenile justice advocates, some of whom oppose a blanket change to the law out of concerns for privacy, are also at the table. Full story.

Think you can juggle coffee, a quick call to the boss, and gridlock on the expressway? Experts say you can't and it's just tempting fate to try. "Scientists have been unable to show people can truly multitask doing two things at the same time as well as they do each individually," psychologist Joel Cooper said. Full story.

Pilot numbers drop, but fliers hope to rejuvenate the cool

The number of Americans earning private pilot licenses in 2010 fell 25 percent from 2009, dropping the estimated number of private pilots in our nation to below 200,000 for the first time since 1966, according to FAA statistics. But some weekend warriors are looking to reverse that trend. Full story.

For donations starting as low as $15, you can memorialize a loved one by sponsoring book purchases, trees, equipment, study rooms and even a planned reading garden at the Cook Memorial Public Library District facilities in Libertyville and Vernon Hills. But a new push, including promotion on the district's website, cooklib.org, is under way for the holiday season. "It's a wonderful way to acknowledge somebody who loves the library," said Cook Memorial board member Mary Ann Phillips, who serves on the district's development committee. "And it's a perfect gift to give to someone who has everything." Full story.

More details emerging in DuPage County Forest Preserve probe

When DuPage County Forest Preserve officials noticed financial discrepancies within the district's information technology department this summer, they hired an outside consultant for $18,000 to locate the problem. And now the forensics findings are in the hands of the state's attorney's office. Multiple sources with knowledge of the consultant's review said it revealed two district employees may have steered professional service contracts to companies they benefited from personally. Full story.

Could Blago's bad attitude mean longer sentence?

Legal experts say former Gov. Rod Blagojevich better be ready to show some remorse during his sentencing, which is scheduled to begin Teusday, or he could end up adding years onto his prison term. Full story.

Alexian Brothers names CEO

Alexian Brothers Health System's named a longtime executive -- and first layperson in its history -- as its new CEO as the company prepares to merge with Ascension Health. Mark Frey, 56, has been with Alexian Brothers for more than 25 years and has held a number of executive positions including president and CEO of Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, according to a news release. Full story.

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